Day 18: The Sword in the Stone

The Sword in the Stone (1963)

Starring: Rickie Sorensen, Richard Reitherman, Robert Reitherman, Karl Swenson, Julius Matthews, Sebastian Cabot, Norman Alden, Martha Wentworth, Alan Napier, Thurl Ravenscroft, Jimmy MacDonald, Ginny Tyler, Barbara Jo Allen

Songs: "The Sword in the Stone," "Higitus Figitus," "That's What Makes the World Go Round," "A Most Befuddling Thing," "Mad Madam Mim," "Blue Oak Tree"

The Sword in the Stone is the eighteenth Disney animated feature, based on the T. H. White novel that tells of young future king Arthur (who goes by Wart) being taught by wizard Merlin and his pet owl Archimedes.  After Sleeping Beauty didn't perform very well financially, the Disney studios decided to focus on movies with more kid appeal -- stories about animals and/or young boys, because Walt felt that was his best chance for success.  It paid off well, as this movie was a big money maker, though critical reviews were mixed.  It does have the happy distinction of being the first film to feature music by the Sherman Brothers, who would go on to create the memorable songs in Mary Poppins.  This film also has the unhappy distinction of being the last animated film that Walt Disney was alive to see released.

The animation in this film is really sharp and clean.  The backgrounds are less stylized than either One Hundred and One Dalmatians or Sleeping Beauty, but the look is very nice.  The character designs and the backgrounds work really well together.

This is a movie I didn't have much of a connection with as a kid.  I didn't dislike it, but it wasn't a favorite.  I would have to say I feel the same about it now.

What I Liked: The dishes washing themselves during "Higitus Figitus."  The adorable female squirrel.

What I Disliked: I have to be totally honest and say that this movie, while cute, was a tad on the boring side.  It felt longer than it was.  I didn't hate it, but after the awesome movie yesterday (One Hundred and One Dalmatians) this was a bit of a let down.

Should You Watch This Film: If you're a Disney diehard or a fan of Arthurian stories, definitely.  You can probably afford to skip it otherwise.